Aaaaand I’ve arrived.
Back in the ol’ advertising agency, I would read this blog on Etsy called Quit Your Day Job. It was about people who successfully quit their day job and now have their own businesses on Etsy.
I wanted to be these people.
And now I am! I can’t hardly believe it. ME!
Etsy has featured ME on their Quit Your Day Job blog.
Dreams come true. Take THAT nay sayers. Hi-ya! I karate chop you. My dream came true when I was able to save up enough to quit my job. Then another dream came true when I moved to Paris. Yet another came true when I found my true art with my Paris Letters. And yet another dream came true when I found the lovely Christophe, who is now my fiancé (I still can’t say the word fiancé without giggling it out like an English man with an overbite.).
But also, a dream came true when I WAS FEATURED ON ETSY… In the BEST section EVER:
Quit Your Day Job
Because I did it. I rolled the dice. After saving and scrimping and selling, I quit my day job and it worked out. I didn’t end up starving or homeless. I didn’t couch surf (much). I didn’t die.
Instead, I found the love of my life at a café in Paris. And if we can ever get our paperwork done (the French!), we’re getting hitched. And I got a book deal to write the story. And it happened with help from a kick ass literary agent and a little nudging from a book whisperer.
I don’t mean to go on about myself, but c’mon…
It was a risk to quit a good gig in a recession to see if a better life would just… work itself out. And it did. It did! Self pinching self. Ouch!
So if someone out there in Office Town is reading my story on Quit Your Day Job, know that I once sat there, too, scouring the Internet for hope. May you be inspired to do something to move yourself in the direction of their dreams.
There is always something that can be done.
“But for a long time it was enough just to be back in our part of Paris and away from the track and to bet on our own life and work.”-Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast
Bet on your own life.
What could happen?
Well done sister!!
Am lovin’ your letters every month….. my 8 year old knows where that red envelope in our P.O. box is from!
Sally, Good to know. I’ll have to keep her guessing with a rainbow array of envelopes.
Very cool, Janice! I read the Quit Your Day job blog as well! Keep it up, you’re inspiring all of us!
Thanks Erin. I hope people realize just how much ink I sniff for their benefit.
Thank you so much for being an inspiration to ME sitting here in office land! I found your blog through your Etsy feature and absolutely love your shop and the idea behind it! I too read the feature often and scheme ways to make it possible! HOPEFULLY I can find my calling soon and follow in your footsteps
Keep up the great work!
Cheers,
Hannah
thebraidedbandit.blogspot.com
thebraidedbandit.etsy.com
Scheme Hannah. Scheme! With someone called the Braided Bandit, it’s so necessary that you become an escape artist.
I absolutely love going to the mailbox and getting one of your letters. I find your story so inspiring! I started my website (2lilowls.com) with the same dream – to be able to quit the day job and pursue a different life. It is doing good so far and reading your story just gives me more hope.
Denise Love recently posted..SALE!!!!! This week only!
Congratulations on the Etsy feature! A well deserved honor, Liz
Congrats on being featured on Etsy and congrats on living a dream job writing snail mail letters that you paint from photos you take
Keep up the good work
Christa recently posted..Best eMoneys
This is so inspiring!!!
Congratulations! I love hearing & reading stories like this because it gives myself hope that it you follow your heart & passion things will work out better than you expect for yourself. God is good! Best too you and your fiancée!
You’re my hero. I used to read that blog on Etsy from my desk, too. It’s an honor to know someone who made it there!
Mel Heth recently posted..Vulnerability
I really enjoyed reading your story and I think you are a genius! You make me feel energized! All the best to you and congratulations on your success!
This is so cool! I just read the article on Etsy and am so excited for you! It’s SUCH a brilliant idea. Seriously, you are one of a kind! Congrats!
Hi Janice-
Just read your story on etsy and came to your blog. I just love what you do and I love how creative and fresh your idea is with selling Paris Letters. I sell on etsy (jewelry-French Feather Designs) and though I love what I make and the creativity it allows me, there is a lot of jewelry out there being sold. Yours is so inspiring and romantic, one of a kind almost. Congrats on the etsy feature story and it is a pleasure meeting you.
Best to you~
Karen
You were always an inspiration. Such bravery.
I couldn’t be prouder of or happier for you.
My only question is who will play you in the movie? But MORE IMPORTANTLY, who will play your sisters and mother??
So proud of you Jan.
Hey Janice,
Your letters arrived today for both my husband as an anniversary gift, and to a good friend as a get well gift. The letters and words are beautiful and so evocative. Congratulations on quitting your day job and on your engagement. I look forward to reading the mail over my husband’s shoulder for the next 6 months !
PS can I be in the movie ? I can sip a cafe au lait in the background……..!
Paris Letters….quelle belle idée ! Bravo,
What a wonderful idea! I just discovered your blog and art via Suzanne de Cornelia’s French Heart blog. I’m now a follower and also put your Etsy shop in my favorites! I love happy ending stories like yours…such an insiration. Your art is magical!
Cindy
You are so inspiring, found you on Etsy, because I am researching starting my own business through my creativity, and even though I had some doubts, you have taken those away. He who tries, wins!
thank you
Rochelle recently posted..My favourite Superhero…….